M.O.T. students find immersive learning, expanded perspectives on Germany trip

Nine students from the Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.) program traveled to Germany this past spring for a study abroad experience focused on global health, cultural understanding and the historical foundations of occupational therapy practice.

 Led by Assistant Professor Vesna Costello, chair of the occupational therapy department, and Assistant Professor Sarah Garrison, the journey took place from May 9 through May 20 and included stops in Hamburg, Würzburg and Nuremberg.

The trip resulted from years of development and collaboration. “The history of our study abroad to Germany started more than 10 years ago, when we engaged our occupational therapy students in virtual exchanges with OT practitioners and students from various countries,” Costello said. “The feedback from these exchanges was always that students wanted more opportunities to engage and learn in a global context.”

With Costello’s roots in Germany, she helped establish connections with German universities and OT professionals, culminating in an exchange program that was originally set to launch in 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We persevered,” she said. “We continued our communications with our partner university in Germany and used our time wisely to fully develop our study abroad opportunity.”

The program officially launched in 2023, with student cohorts traveling to participate in International Block Week at the University of Applied Sciences in Osnabrück. While the 2025 itinerary changed due to scheduling conflicts, the spirit of immersive learning remained strong.

This year, the group’s journey began in Hamburg, where they visited two clinical sites and had the unique opportunity to engage in “Dialogue in the Dark,” an immersive experience that challenged students’ perspectives on disability and accessibility.

 “We entered a space in complete darkness and were given mobility canes as we were guided through various spaces by a blind person,” Costello said. “This was one of the most insightful experiences for all of us.”

From Hamburg, the students traveled to Würzburg to present at the Annual Conference of the German Occupational Therapy Association. There, they networked with peers and professionals, explored the city and deepened their understanding of the global OT landscape. The final leg of the trip brought the group to Nuremberg, where they toured the former Nazi rally grounds and continued their study of history’s impact on society and healthcare.

For M.O.T. student Brody Phillips, the trip provided a deeply personal and professional awakening. “The most valuable aspect of our travel to Germany was the opportunity to further develop our cultural humility, empathy, and compassion for others, both as future occupational therapy practitioners and as people,” he said.

Phillips reflected on the powerful visits to sites like Neuengamme concentration camp, a medical history museum and Nuremberg’s historical grounds. “There was no hiding or shying away from what had happened in the 1930s-40s,” he said. “Instead, there was acceptance and responsibility taken, with the intention to do better and be better. I felt enlightened, curious and motivated to channel this new knowledge and perspective to further develop my own ability to reflect, empathize, and appreciate others.”

Costello says this exploration of historical memory aligns closely with occupational therapy’s emphasis on holistic care. 

“As occupational therapists, we are concerned with enabling every person to live their life in meaningful ways, as members of our local and global communities,” she said. “Learning how [World War II] happened, how a country grappled with its history in the decades since and how all of this may be relevant to OT practice today has deeply shaped our study abroad opportunity.”

For Phillips, the experience was nothing short of life-changing. “Without this study abroad opportunity, I feel that there would have been an absence in the quality of care that I will eventually provide to others,” he said. “I am grateful for this experience and how much it has contributed to my growth as an individual.”